Wan Hai Lines (WHL) has announced that it would begin levying heavy fines on shippers for mis-declared shipments. “From now on, if the declarations and shipping forms and documents enclosed are not true and accurate, [Wan Hai Lines] has the right to stop or suspend the delivery of the cargoes or terminate the contract of delivery for the cargoes at any time during the carriage,” the company stated in a notice to customers this week.
WHL claims that cargo interests will be fined $30,000 in punitive damages per container for hazardous goods, while the cost for regular non-hazardous containers will be $20,000. WHL says shippers will also “assume and bear any expenses and fees incurred and all liabilities of damages and losses, costs, including but not limited to, fines, forfeits, penalties, attorney fees, litigation costs,” in addition to the fines listed above.
